Under Section 702.7 of the Board of Regents Policy and Procedures Manual the responsibility for awarding emeritus status is delegated to the component institutions of the system. Board of Regents guidelines state that emeriti titles may be granted by the chancellor of a unit to tenured faculty members upon retirement after approval by the Board of Regents. The conferring of these titles is not automatic upon retirement.

Preamble

The title of "Professor Emeritus" shall be awarded for outstanding and meritorious service as well as individual distinction to Montana State University-Northern. Such service shall have been demonstrated by scholarship, meritorious teaching and contributions to the institution. Emeritus status shall be a capstone to one's academic career.

Eligibility for Emeritus Status

To receive emeritus status, a faculty member must hold tenure and the rank of professor or associate professor at the time of retirement from Montana State University-Northern. The faculty member must have completed a minimum of ten (10) years of service at MSU-Northern to be considered for emeritus status. Time in service will be computed to the date of acceptance of retirement, either regular retirement or disability retirement.

Systematic Procedures Supporting Emeritus Status

The initial procedure leading to emeritus status shall be by nomination. Any faculty member may nominate an eligible candidate. Nominations of candidates shall be submitted to the Chancellor by the end of the academic year in which the candidate shall retire. During the course of the candidate's last term prior to retirement, the department chairman of the unit shall accumulate documentation supporting the nominated candidate. This documentation shall attest to scholarly performance, teaching and service at Montana State University-Northern. The candidate's department will review and make a recommendation to the Provost/Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs regarding the award of emeritus status and who, in turn, will make a recommendation to the Chancellor. This recommendation shall be submitted prior to the end of the academic year in which the candidate is retiring.

The Chancellor, during the ensuing academic year, will request that the Academic Senate review the candidate's credentials for emeritus status. The Senate shall review the materials and make a recommendation to the Chancellor by the end of the fall term.

The Chancellor can accept the recommendation or not accept the recommendation. Should the Chancellor accept the recommendation, he/she shall then submit the candidate's name to the Board of Regents during the spring term. Upon favorable acceptance by the Board of Regents, the title of emeritus will be added to the candidate's rank and so awarded at the graduation ceremonies in the year following his/her retirement.